bel air



(No Model.) I 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. BELAIR,.

UULTIVATOR.

No. 531,252. tented Dec. 1 1894'.

(No Model.) I 3 Sheets -sheet 2.

, T. BELAIR.

GULTIVATOR.

No. 531,252. Patented 1360.18, 189

I THE ncmus PErzRs cu. FNOYO'UTMO wnsums'rum n. c.

s Sheets-Sheet a, T. BELAIR. CULTIVATUR (No Model.)

Patented Dec; 18, 1894.,

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BEYLAIR, or MONTRE L, CANADA.

cu LTIVATO R.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,252, dated December18, 1894. Application filed January 2, 1894. Serial lib-495,466. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, THOMAS BELAIR, of thecity of Montreal, in the district of Montreal and Province of Quebec,Canada, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Cultivators;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,"and exactdescription of the same;

This invention relates to the means used for imparting downward pressureto the fingers,"the mechanism for regulating such press ure and/meansfor adjustingthe pitch of the fingers in order -.to change their workingangle relatively to the ground. I

The object of the invention is to simplify.

and render more effective the parts just mentioned and to these endsthe'invention may be said-to consist, firstly, in substituting for theusual series of individually operating springs acting upon each 'fingeror a section comprising a small number of them, a single spring arrangedto exert its force upon an in: termediate pressure distributer andcarrier for the fingers, constructed substantially on the principle ofthe whifiEle-tree which has the effect of distributing the force ofthespring to every finger and of maintaining the pressure upon thefingers whatever their position may be owing to unevenness of theground; secondly, in combining with the usual lever for raising andlowering such fingers and with the pressure spring just mentioned, of

mechanism for regulating the pressure of such spring, and, thirdly, inproviding a graduated bearing or holder for the shaft to which thefingers are attached in order to allow of the adjustment of the workingangle of such fingers.

For full comprehension however of the invention, reference must be hadto the annexed drawings, forminga part of this specification, in whichlike symbols indicate corresponding parts, and wherein-- Figure 1 is aplan view of a cultivator embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a rearelevation of same, partly broken away, andFig. 3

the ground wheels.

horizontal tertiary bars h h in turn pivoted place as usual by-thecollars b 12 set in placeon the'axle A.

O is the tongue of the machine also secured in the usual manner by meansof the connecting shoe or socket piece 0, carried by the frame piece B,receiving the inner end of the tongue andfurnishing an eye or sleevethrough which the axle A passes, 0 being the usual braces between thetongue 0 and frame piece B.

D is the usual-ratchet toothed segment projecting up from the connectingshoe piece 0, being either cast in one with or bolted to same andserving as part of the mechanism for locking the operating lever E indifferent positions as formerly. This operating lever E 'is rigidlymounted as usual upon the axle 'A and the'lifting arms F F for raising'the fingers'Gr are also rigidly set upon such'axle and in particularpositions forpurposes hereinafter mentione Instead of-the midwaysupports and series of spring pressure devices connected with the framepiece o as previously, I use the mechanism now to be described: Iconstruct What may be properly termed a whiffle-tree intermediatepressure distributer and carrier device in that it comprisesa centralhorizontal main bar H, two secondary horizontal bars h h pivoted attheir centers by bolts h to the extremities of the main bar, and four attheir centers by bolts h to the secondary bars. These tertiary barsinturn support at their extremities vertically hanging links if havingtheir upper ends loosely pivoted to such extremities while to theirlower ends are rigidly connected, horizontal cross-bars j midway oftheir length. On each of these cross bars are hung two shackles or clipsk preferably of the yoke and bar construction, suitable projections k onthe upper corners of the bars holding them in place, and these clipspass under each of the fingers G'which are thus held between the bottomedges of the cross bars and the lower sides of the clips. The main bar Hrests on top of the lifting arms F F which are arranged in suchpositions on either side of the center of the machine as to be locatedpractically beneath the extremities of such main bar (which it isdesired shall be located centrally of the machine) and as near the pivotpoints of the secondary bars h h as possible in order to avoid anyinterference with the vertical oscillation of the inner ends of suchbars in a downward direction. Thus far a midway support or carrier forthe fingers G which is not connected with the frame piece in any way hasbeen described and this arrangement, as will be readily apparent, allowsthe spring pressure or downwardly impelling force for the fingers to beconcentrated and applied at a single point, viz., the center of the mainbar H with the result that a much simpler construction is possible, abetter distribution of the spring pressure secured and the readyregulation of that pressure insured.

As a pressure device I prefer to use a leaf spring L, composed of asufficient number of leaves, and having its outer free end bearingcentrally of the upper surface of the main bar H between localizing lugsZ least thereon, while its inner end is secured by bolt Z and clamp Z toan upwardly projecting arm on from a rock shaft m which also carriesasecond arm m and is loosely mounted inbearing plates n n bolted on thesides of the tongue 0, staples n n fitting over it and driven into theupper side of the tongue acting as an extra security for holding it inplace.

I will now describe the means for regulating the pressure of the springdevicejust described:'lhe arm m has loosely pivoted at m to its side acurved bar M having a lower edge formed with what may appropriately betermed saw teeth m furnishing notches m to engage a pin or bolt 0projecting from the side of the lever E near its lower end which pinnormally supports and holds such curved bar at any point along itslength that may be found necessary in order to increase or dimiuish thedegree of pressure exerted by the spring device, an increase beingsecured by diminishing the distance between the pin and the pivot pointm of the curved bar M and a diminishment by the reverse action, theposition of the parts shown in Fig. 3 being that required for littlemore than an ordinary degree.

In order to change the position of the bar M, a slide I is carried bythe lever E and arranged to work on the outside of a shield or plate Q,secured to the side of the lever and bent to afford a space between itand the side of the lever for such bar M to work through, as shown inFig. 2, the slide P being localized by means of a boltp passing througha slot 9 in the slide screwed into the shield Q and furnished with aretaining nut on its outer end, and the lugs 12 at the lower end of theslide turned over to bear upon the side edges of the shield. This slidecarries on its outer face a hooked finger r thatbears under a rodextension 1" corresponding in length to the curved bar and which issecured at each end the slide P so as to be engaged by such hookedfinger 'r at any point along its length.

Just below the handle portion of lever E are pivoted two thumb or fingerlevers S T as shown in Fig. 3 the former of which has an eccentric orcam-shaped body portion 3 and an eye 8 to allow of the attachment to itof a connecting rod 5 extending up from an eye in the top end of theslide P whereby such slide is operated.

The lever T is of hell crank form and pivoted in such a positionrelatively to the lever S that the one 1501: its arms will be in contactwith the cam portion 3 thereof and thereby render it possible to operateboth levers simultaneously by drawing inward the lever S. An eye isformed in the end of the arm t of lever T to receive the upper end of aconnecting rod 15' thelower end of which is connected to the usualspring operated locking piece t carried by the lever E and adapted toengage the toothed segment D in the usual manner.

The reasons for forming the lever S so as to operatethe lever Tsimultaneously with it are, to save time in regulating the springpressure and for convenience since it would be well nigh impossible withone hand to readily operate both levers independently or reach for thelever T while holding in the lever S as will be readily apparent.

In order that the working angle of the fiugers G relatively to theground maybe varied to suit differentconditions of the earth, I use thedepending bracket frames U preferably in V-form having the end of oneleg bolted to the frame pieceB and the end of the other leg of thecentral one, by means of a slot to the inside of the tongue 0 while theother legs of the outer bracket frames are bolted to the braces O. Inthe front side of the forward legs any desired number of notches u aremade to form a graduated holder for the shaft or frame bar G to whichthe bases or inner ends of the fingers G are connected in the usual wayby sockets G three of such notches being shown in this case and the barbeing located in the middle one.

Any suitable catch such as the pivoted hook G is used to preventaccidental displacement of the bar G from the notch in which it may beplaced.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The spring L in its normalposition does not exert any pressure upon bar H. To lower the fingers tothe ground so that they will work Without any additional pressure thantheir own weight as would be the case when worlc ing soft ground thelever E must be thrown back as usual, the distance required to lower thelifting arms I F carrying such fingers, through axle A, till they (thefingers) rest on the ground, the lever being first disengaged from thetoothed segment Dby raising locking piece a through the operation oflever T and the curved bar M raised from and therelie fore disengagedfrom pin through the operation of lever S, the two levers S and T being,in this case, operated simultaneously, through the cam portion .9 oflever S, by lever S.

To work ground of a slight degree of hardness' and where very littlespring pressure on the fingers will be'required besides their ownweight, it will be necessary after havingcom menced to lower the fingersas above described to release lever S when lever E has reached theposition shown in chain line in Fig. 3. By releasing lever S curved barM will be allowed to engage pin 0 through whichthe lever E will bydrawing arm m of rock shaft m, cause spring L to bear upon the main barH and through it and its auxiliary bars, be

distributed as before described over all the fingers.

Towork very hard ground it will be necessary to operate only lever T (asthe formation of the teeth of curved bar M will allow the pin 0 totravel over them in a forward direction without registering) then pushlever E forward to the position shown by dotted lineFig. 3', when theextreme forward notch of curved bar M will engage with pin 0 and theshortest distance be established between lever E and the rock shaft m.Lever E is thenthrown back till the last tooth in segment D is reachedwhen on leverT being released lever E will hold rock-shaft m in such aposition as will give fullpressure of spring L to the fingers.

To raise the fingers in any case it will be only necessary to operatelever S which will (as before described) release lever E from curvedsegment B and through its cam portion s ,-operate lever T to raise anddisengage curved rod M from pin 0 and therefore allow lever E to bethrown'into its normal forward position (shown in full lines in Fig. 3)thereby through axle A and arms F F lifting the fingers from the ground.To change the working angle of these fingers G the hook G is raised andthe bar G lifted out of the notch in the brackets U in which it may havebeen placed and located in either of the other notches.

What I claim is as follows:

1. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, and suitable supporting framing, the combination withsame, of an intermediate pressure distributer, connected with saidfingers and adapted to receive a depressing force at a single point and'to distribute and maintain it upon each finger, with a leaf spring and amovable carrier for same to furnish such depressing force.

\ 2. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, and suitable supporting framing, the combination withsame, of an intermediate pressure distributer composed of a series ofequalizing bars including a main bar to receive the depressing force ata single point, and bars convnected with said fingers, the deviceadapted to distribute the depressing force received by its main bar toand maintain it upon each finger, with a leaf spring and a movablecarrier for same to furnish such depressing force 3. In a cultivator orlike implement having a series of depressible working fingers, and

spring pressure device located centrally of the machine and exertingadepressing force upon the pressure distributer and means for regulatingthe degree of such depressing force for the purpose set forth.

5. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, and suitable supporting frame pieces, the combinationwith same, of the intermediate'press ure distributer comprising a mainstationary bar and'movable bars pivoted to the stationary bar;connections between the movable bars and said fingers and a springpressure device located centrally of the machine and exerting adepressing force upon the main stationarybar of the distributer.

6. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, and suitable supporting frame pieces, the combinationwith same of the intermediate pressure distributer, comprising a mainstationary bar and movable bars pivoted to the stationary bar;connections between the movable bars and said fingers and a springpressure device located centrally of the machine and exerting adepressing force upon the main stationary bar of the distributer, andmeans for regulating the degree of such depressing force for the purposeset forth. I

7. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers suitable frame pieces and a rotatable axle, thecombination with same, of lifting mechanism, a pressure distributerconnected with said fingers and supportedat times by said liftingmechanism, and an operating lever projecting from said axle andadaptedto ro-" tate same for the purposes set forth.

8. In a cultivator or like implement having a seriesof depressibleworking fingers suitable frame pieces and a rotary axle, the combinationwith same, of lifting arms projecting from said axle, a pressuredistributer connected with said fingers and supported at times by saidlifting arms, and an operating lever projecting from said axle andadapted to rotate same for the purposes set forth.

9. In a cultivator or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, suitable supporting frame pieces, a rotatable axle, andan operating lever, the combination with such parts, of a pressuredistributer connected with said fingers and a spring exerting adepressing force upon said distributer, a movable carrier or mountingfor said spring, and a connection between said operating lever and saidcarrier for the purposes set forth.

10. In a cultivator, or like implement having a series of depressibleworking fingers, suitable supporting frame pieces, a rotatable axle, andan operating lever, the combination with such parts, of a pressuredistributer connected with said fingers, a spring exerting a depressingforce upon said distributetya movable carrier or mounting for saidspring and an adjustable connection between said lever and said carrierfor the purposes set forth.

11. In a cultivator, the combination with the operating lever and themovable carrier of the spring pressure device of the adjustableconnection between them in the form of a bar pivoted at one end to saidcarrier and having notches on its lower edge to engage a projection fromsaid lever with means for disengaging said bar from said projection forthe purpose set forth.

12. In a cultivator, the combination with the operating lever and themovable carrier, of the spring pressure device, of the notchedadjustable bar pivoted to the carrier and engaging a projection fromsaid lever, a lifting slide carried by said lever and provided with aprojection to engage an extension fromsaid bar and a thumb lever andconnection for operating said slide for the purpose set forth.

13. In a cultivator, the combination with the operating lever, the meansfor looking it in position, the spring pressure device, the pivotalcarrier for same, the adjustable bar connection between said lever andsaid carrier, and the slide for disengaging said bar connection fromsaid lever,-of the cam lever S and bell crank leverT pivoted to saidoperating lever and the former adapted upon being drawn inward tooperate the latteras and for the purposes set forth.

14. A cultivator or like implement having suitable supporting framing,all its Working fingers directly attached at their bases or inactiveends to a common removable shaft straight throughout its length; and agraduated notched bearing or holder secured to the framing of thecultivator to carry said shaft, for the purpose set forth.

15. A cultivator or like implement having suitable supporting framing,all its working fingers directly attached at their bases or inactiveends to a common removable shaft straight throughout its length;depending bracketsU secured to the framing of the cultivator andhavingnotches formed in the edge thereof to receive said shaft, andmeans for retaining it in place.

16. A cultivator or like implement having suitable supporting framing,all its working fingers directly attached at their bases or inactiveends to a common removable shaft straight throughout its length;depending brackets U secured to the framing of the cultivator and havingnotches formed in the edge thereof to receive said shaft, and a pivotedhook G for retaining it in place.

Montreal, November 27, 1893.

THOMAS BELAIR.

In presence of- FRED. J. SEARS, 0. W. M. N. Loans.

